For Immediate Release: May 12, 2025
The United States cannot repeat the mistakes of the past as negotiators advance U.S.-China trade talks. Though both nations announced on Monday a 90-day suspension on most recently imposed tariffs, reshoring America’s manufacturing capacity will require trade action that defends the U.S. market.
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:
“The president should not make a deal of convenience with China. Instead, he should withstand the business pressure, engage Congress, phase in permanent tariffs on Beijing, invest in our industries, and enlist our allies in deleveraging China’s grip on strategic industrial sectors.
“The U.S. cannot settle for a commodity purchasing agreement like 2020’s U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal. China’s economy benefits from more than $400 billion in goods exports to the U.S., and it has been boosted by unfair practices and market-distorting policies that it is extremely unlikely to change. Beijing’s policies have eroded U.S. manufacturing capacity and will continue to do so, unless comprehensive measures are implemented.”
Washington could further signal its resolve to address China’s longstanding exploitation of global trade norms if Congress productively engages in the process.
“Skepticism of the U.S.-China trade relations is one of the few areas of true bipartisan political agreement,” Paul said. “The president should call on Congress to repeal China’s permanent normal trade relations status so that a higher tariff rate can be permanently enshrined.”
Paul is available for interviews.